Lesson 4: Understanding Emission Scopes

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

Be able to decipher between the different emission scopes, and how emissions sources fit into them
Have an understanding of typical splits of emissions scopes across different industries
Understand how emissions scopes can be measured and reported
Understand common strategies for reducing emissions across scopes

Video Duration: 25 minutes approximately

Lesson Notes

Introduction to Emissions Scopes

Categorise Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions based on their source and control
Three emissions scopes (1, 2, 3).

Scope 1 Emissions

Directly controlled by organisation
Scope 1 Direct:
- Category 1: Direct emissions
Examples:
- Mobile and stationary fossil fuel combustion
- Process emissions
- Fugitive emissions

For images see Reference Links 2., 3. and 4.

Scope 2 Emissions

Indirect emissions associated with purchased/acquired electricity, heating and steam from external suppliers
Scope 2 Indirect:
- Category 2: Indirect emissions from energy

For images see Reference Links 5. and 6.

Scope 3 Emissions

Broadest category, can get the messiest
Indirect emissions that occur as a result of the organisation’s activities, but are not directly owned or controlled
Scope 3 Indirect:
- Category 3: Transportation
- Category 4: Products used by organisations
- Category 5: Products used from organisations
- Category 6: Other indirect

For image see Reference Link 7.

Importance of Scoping Emissions

Understand where we’re starting from:

If we understand where our emissions come from, we can start to put effective plans in place to reduce them
We can understand what proportions are directly within our control, as well as identify what we don’t know
Scope 3 can take up a significant proportion of an organisation’s overall emissions, so scoping is important to have a handle of this split

Measuring and Reporting Emissions

Carbon foot printing standards:
- ISO 14064
- GHG Protocol
Ministry for Environment guidance
Reporting gives an understanding of scale, which can lead to reduction planning and implementing
Transparent reporting = effective emissions management

Strategies for Reducing Emissions across Scopes

Scope 1:

Meat processor example: e.g. Fuel switching for heating or converting to heat pumps
Trucking example: e.g. Fuel switching to electric

Scope 2:

Electrification in industry means that Scope 1 emissions will move into Scope 2
As we move towards a 100% renewable grid, Scope 2 emissions will fall

Scope 3:

Engage with your supply chain

Attack emission sources which are going to have a positive ROI.

Industry groups such as the Climate Leaders Coalition
Partnership, engagement and expectation setting through procurement strategies
Consider the bigger picture and the industry as a whole
Sometimes it could be more economic to invest in your supply chain than to invest in your own sites to reduce emissions

Conclusion

Introduced lesson scopes and defined what is included in each of the 3 scopes
Talked about the importance and advantages of scoping emissions
Talked about strategies and standards for measuring and reporting emissions
Talked about common strategies for reducing emissions across scopes

Lesson

CEP1014: Understanding Emissions

Lesson 4: Understanding Emission Scopes​

Learning Outcomes

Lesson Notes

Introduction to Emissions Scopes​

Scope 1 Emissions​

Scope 2 Emissions​

Importance of Scoping Emissions​

Measuring and Reporting Emissions​

Strategies for Reducing Emissions across Scopes​